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According to many sources, this was the last significant battle of the American Revolutionary War. The events leading up to this battle are quite detailed. Check out the links below to see some of the documents which tell the various versions of events to understand it better. It happened on August 19, 1782 in what was then Virginia, but is now Kentucky. This was 10 months after the British surrendered at Yorktown. Contrary to popular belief, Yorktown did not officially end the war. A force of between 240 and 500 British - Canadians (Butler's Rangers) and their Americans Indians allies (Shawnees, Delawares, Wyandots, Ottawas, Chippewas & Mingoes) came south from the Ohio area to attack American pioneers south of the Ohio River. They first attacked the Bryan's Station settlement north of Lexington on April 15th. The settlers managed to get messages of the attack out to surrounding areas. After a day of fighting, the loyalists determined that this settlement was too heavily defended, so they withdrew to the northeast. Local militia from the surrounding area streamed into Bryans Station. A much larger group of militia was also responding from Lexington. The local militia decided to immediately follow and attack the retreating loyalists. About 182 local militia started the pursuit. On the 19th, they spotted some Indians on top of a hill near a ravine off the Licking River along a well-known Buffalo Trace and salt lick. The group's leaders, including Lt. Colonel Daniel Boone, discussed whether they should wait for the large militia coming up from Lexington, or to attack now. Boone suggested caution, because the trail the loyalists had left was too easy to follow, and this might be a trap. However, as the legend goes, Hugh McGary (known to be a hothead regarding Indians) tired of the debate and rushed across the Licking River and yelled “Them that ain't cowards, follow me.“ Unfortunately for the militia, Boone had been right. This was a well calculated ambush. As the militia rushed up the ravine, the British and Indians spring the trap. The fighting lasted about 15 minutes. As many as 80 militia were killed, while the loyalist allies lost only about 10 fighters. Some militia were captured, and the remainder managed to escape. When the Lexington militia arrived the next day, the loyalists had already fled. So, they buried the bodies they found. Many consider this one of the worst defeats (based on the percentage of militia killed) of the American Revolutionary War. There is a nice museum at the state park, and plenty of places to camp and a lodge. - Travels with Phil copyrighted by Phil Konstantin - - - - - - You can see my photos of the area through this link: - - - - - Photo Credits: My own, Kentucky State Parks - - - - - Video Credits: My own, Kentucky State Parks - - - - - Related Videos: 1. Kentucky State Parks - - Guided Licking River Paddle Trips at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park 2. Kentucky State Parks - - Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park 3. Kentucky State Park - Facebook video - My dedication to this sacred duty… - = = = = = = Links: 1. Wikipedia: 2. State of KY - 3. List of Revolutionary War Battles - 4. KY National Guard Story - #:~:text=On a hill next to,the Kentuckians during the war. 5. Pages 95 to 102, Page 172 is Boone's description of the battle - - 6. We are all slaughtered Men - 7. British Account: 8. An oration delivered on the occasion of the centennial commemoration of the battle of the Blue Licks, 19th August, 1882 - - - - - You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel at this link -----
